Spurs keen to sign Middlesbrough defender

What’s the word?

The 19-year-old has broken into the Boro first-team this season and has made seven appearances in all competitions.

Spence can play at both right-back and on the right of midfield and played 90 minutes in the FA Cup draw with Spurs at the weekend.

The big fat Tottenham quiz of 2019 – how much do you remember about the last year at Spurs?

1 of 20

How many red cards has Heung-Min Son received in 2019?

The Standard reports that Spence has 18 months left on his youth team contract and that manager Jose Mourinho is a long-term admirer of the teenager.

He played with the Portuguese’s son during his time at Fulham, prior to his switch to the Riverside Stadium in 2018, and the report claims that Mourinho junior has previously praised the versatile defender.

Anyone will do

Spurs are desperate for a right-back.

A separate report claims from The Athletic claims that Kyle Walker-Peters could join Crystal Palace on loan, which would leave the club with just Serge Aurier as their specialist senior option in the position, with Eric Dier, Juan Foyth and even Moussa Sissoko able to fill in if needed.

Spence may well be too young to instantly slot into the XI but he is an option and offers versatility given his ability to also play on the wing.

Will Spurs sign anyone in January?

Yeah, they'll spend money!

No, they'll wait until summer!

At this point, numbers are just as important as experience and giving Mourinho the chance to pick between two players instead of one is vital as the season reaches its business end.

Spurs, of course, are attempting to qualify for the Champions League and are fighting on three fronts, with the club still attempting to seal their progression in Europe and in the FA Cup.